Arandis: The European Union (EU) and Namibia have launched the IGNITE Green Hydrogen (GH2) Project, a N.dollars 39 million initiative aimed at strengthening technical and vocational education and training (TVET). This effort is in preparation for the emerging opportunities within the green hydrogen sector.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the 24-month project, valued at N.dollars 39 million, is set to commence in October 2025. The project is designed to address Namibia's anticipated skills gap, which could reach up to 130,000 workers in the green hydrogen and Power-to-X sectors by the year 2040. Approximately 700 unemployed TVET graduates will be upskilled, 40 trainers will be developed, and support will be provided to vocational training centres in Keetmanshoop, at Namwater, and NIMT.
The training under the IGNITE GH2 project will concentrate on priority occupations, with qualifications being upgraded to NQF levels 5 and 6 to align with industry needs. All beneficiaries will be registered on industry job databases to ensure they have direct access to employment opportunities.
During the launch event held in Arandis, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Skela, emphasized that the project signifies an important step in the EU-Namibia partnership. He underscored that investing in skills is crucial for unlocking Namibia's potential, stating, "Potential alone is not enough; in order to turn it into real opportunities for Namibians and Europeans alike, we need strong education and training."
More than N.dollars 19.5 billion in loans and grants have already been mobilized through the EU's Global Gateway strategy, with projections indicating nearly N.dollars 390 billion in potential private investments.
Lisho Mundia, Deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Innovation, Sports, Arts and Culture, highlighted the need for education and training to achieve Namibia's vision of becoming a global leader in clean hydrogen production. He noted, "Infrastructure can be built with investment, but without a skilled workforce, we cannot sustain ourselves."
Toni Beukes, Head of Environment, Social and Governance at Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, emphasized that the IGNITE project will focus on skills with immediate job relevance. Meanwhile, Professor Erold Naomab, Vice Chancellor of the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), remarked that the project is not solely about infrastructure but also about equipping Namibians to seize opportunities within the green economy.
The project will be implemented by a consortium led by NUST, which includes Hyphen, Zhero, the Namwater Human Resource Development Centre, and NIMT.